29 Comments
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Katherine's avatar

Love the market photos! Do you know about the Italian Chapel in Orkney? Italian prisoners of war converted a Nissen hut into a chapel to worship in, complete with hand painted interior, it’s amazing.

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Helen Stephens's avatar

No, I will do a google!

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Rachel Bevan Baker's avatar

ooh yes I've been there a couple of times, it's beautiful.

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Kate's avatar

Totally agree about The Ballad of Wallis Island! I LOVED it SO much! You’re right, Tim Key is blimmin’ ace - Defo one of the cinematic highlights of the year for me! ✨

So envious of you going to Gifford’s, I’ve wanted to go for years, but it so rarely comes our way! One day, one day… 🤞

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Helen Stephens's avatar

I want to go and see The Balled of Wallace Island again, it was so life affirming.

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Sarah Lovell's avatar

Love this !

I’d like a plan chest one day . Your shelf & view through looks lovely .

I’m glad the ballad of Wallis island is good , my friend invited me yesterday so I’m looking forward to seeing it even more now ! Also want to see the live action ‘how to train your dragon ‘ the filming In Ireland looks amazing.

I think a picky bit tea sounds ideal , can’t be bothered to cook later! Happy Sunday :)

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Oh I am sure you will love Wallis Island!

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Amy Turner's avatar

I always love your Sunday updates Helen, circus looks fab! And so interesting about your grandparents in a nissen hut. I’ve just eaten crumpets for lunch, not very summery or Sunday lunchie, but just what I needed-enjoy your picky bits.

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Hot crumpets with butter are very Sunday to me.

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Beth Garnett Illustration's avatar

Night Coppers - noted and added to m'list!

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Ella Beech's avatar

That market looks *excellent* for a draw! So many lovely things. Happy weekend!! X

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Next time I will find a corner - maybe even eat some chips - and draw the market.

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Caroline Rudge's avatar

Hurrah - Giffords is great! We went a few weeks ago as it was official Kid Day (my daughter got jealous about Mothers and Fathers having a special day, so we fabricated one just for her 🙄) then the week after we went to Circus Piddly…as the name suggests, a very much smaller affair, which involved a lot of custard creams, but also brilliant. I blooming love the circus 💕

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Circus Piddly! I want to see this tiny custard cream circus!

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Sam's avatar

I can absolutely imagine how excited you are for the model village! I would be besides myself - do share the pics- Southport Model Village was one of my favourite places when I was a kid - I can’t believe they bulldozed it down!!

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Bulldozed it! What?!

With miniature bulldozers?

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Sam's avatar

I know!! I came home from Uni one time and it had gone!! 🫣 all those mini diggers and wonky model village people!

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Martha Lightfoot's avatar

Oooh, Giffords Circus, they are ANAZING! They're based up the road from us in Stroud, and we often spot Tweedy in town when they're not on tour. I've tried drawing their performance but it's so fast paced I don't want to take my eyes off them for a second, so my sketchbook ends up as energetic but unrecognisable squiggles (like drawing in a box at Art Club ...)

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Helen Stephens's avatar

I know, I tried drawing but I was missing the action. Next time I need to book two nights, one to watch it and one to draw it. You see Tweedy in the wild!!!!

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Martha Lightfoot's avatar

Next time I see him, I'll send you a photo!

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Martha Lightfoot's avatar

(Amazing. But probably Anazing too!)

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Nell Cummins Illustrates's avatar

Oops, pressed send too fast. Enjoy your "picky bits" 😊💚

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Nell Cummins Illustrates's avatar

I love your Sunday posts, Helen! It's nearly 5pm here, and I'm making Teryaki Beef with flat noodles, capsicum and spring onions. Yummy!

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Helen Stephens's avatar

Oh sounds delicious! I’ll be round later.

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Nell Cummins Illustrates's avatar

I saved you some Helen 😊😆

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Laura’s Creative Chaos's avatar

That sort of market is just wonderful, they remind me of my grandma who we moved in with when I was about 6 (just me, my mum and my grandma) and her school holiday childcare which was mostly just taking me on the bus to Bradford/Wakefield/Halifax to sample their markets as a change from the one in Leeds 😂 I did a childhood memories illustration of us buying flowers at one but maybe I should re-do it as us admiring the giant knickers and plastic handbags 🤔

Very curious about the desire for a naked lady lighter, I think that’s probably a Blackpool purchase these days or perhaps even they’re all vapes and you need someone going to a very British heavy tourism Spanish resort as they definitely had them when we went to Tenerife last year.

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Helen Stephens's avatar

We’re off to a Greek Island soon, maybe I’ll find one there!

Oh I bet Bradford, Wakefield and Halifax had/have excellent markets.

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Laura’s Creative Chaos's avatar

They always feel a bit like time travelling, my mum is now about the age my grandma was when she took me if not a little older but she definitely wouldn’t buy any of her clothes or bags from those market stalls so I’m very curious who their customers are now. It’s still where I’d go for any sewing supplies though. The one in Leeds is now a real mix of the giant knickers, broken biscuits and fruit and veg shops with artisan bakery type stalls and a brilliant food court (I’d recommend manjits kitchen if you’re ever in Leeds and in Kirkgate market looking for food). It’s not got as many shops as when I was little but it’s still going, I think the tripe shop has gone now 🤢😂 when I was little there was a lady who sold handmade dolls clothes including Barbie dresses which were displayed in those sandwich bags that are paper on the back and clear on the front, they were the ultimate reward for a good school report. I also need to go back and do some more market drawing.

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Rachel Bevan Baker's avatar

I remember going drawing at Grainger Market during a GSA trip to Newcastle back in the day! (was Newcastle city of culture one year early 90s?? I remember tipsy fireworks by the riverside!) The market was a fab place to draw, and it looks like it hasn't changed much!

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